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Monday, April 30, 2012

VERY SUPRISING: HODGSON APPROACH BY FA TO COACH ENGLAND

Roy Hodgson is set to take charge of
England's assault on the European Championships after it was revealed
the West Brom manager is in talks with the Football Association. The
64-year-old is the only candidate to have been interviewed for the
role, despite many tipping Harry Redknapp to succeed Fabio Capello,
after the Italian quit the post in February.

West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace today
granted permission for the FA to hold talks with their 64-year-old
manager, and Hodgson has already had a conversation with FA chief David
Bernstein.

A statement from
Bernstein read: 'I'm grateful to Jeremy and all at West Bromwich Albion
for their co-operation in allowing us to approach Roy, who I have since
spoken with.

Hodgson is out of contract in the summer
- meaning the FA would not have to pay any costly compensation or
become involved in any wrangling with the club.

Hodgson has coached the Switzerland and Finland national teams with considerable success in the past.

He has also been extraordinarily
successful on limited resources at West Brom, for whom he signed an
18-month contract last February after a disappointing spell at
Liverpool.

Hodgson has built up an impressive
CV, which includes spells in the international game with Switzerland -
whom he guided to the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96, although he resigned
before the Finals themselves - Finland and the United Arab Emirates.

However, this is unlikely to win over those who feel Redknapp should have been asked first.

The move marks the beginning of the end
of a tortuous process, which began on February 8, when Capello confirmed
his resignation in protest at John Terry being stripped of the
captaincy without having the opportunity to put any input into the
discussions.